Migration Continues: 4 New Species for the Season

August 19, 2012

Andrea Patterson Fall BandingComments Off on Migration Continues: 4 New Species for the Season

38 new birds of 19 species, 14 recaps. New species: Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch. Gray Catbird was bird of the day, with 10 new bands. We had another lovely late summer day at BBBO – cool and sunny, with just a hint of breeze. While most of the day was fairly routine, we did have a surprise early in the morning. We had just returned from opening the nets when we heard a scratching and banding noise coming from the back room. When we went to investigate, we found a bird clinging to the screen on one of the upper windows in the back. Emily climbed up on a table with a net and was able to capture the bird safely. We discovered he was a previously banded Song Sparrow – although he had not been processed at our station since at least the end of May. He must have scooted in through a gap under the door, and been trapped! We recorded his band number and released him immediately, seemingly none the worse for his experience.

The transition of juvenile birds to their more adult plumage is clearly evident at this time of year. Some birds still have loosely textured body feathers – a Tufted Titmouse looked especially funny as he was a fluffy fuzzball – while others are molting into more tightly knit body feathers. We saw a young Downy Woodpecker molting its head feathers, so that the red on top of the head (typical in hatch year birds) appeared to be migrating to the more usual place on the nape. Two hatch year Cardinals were an interesting contrast, as one still had the dark bill typical of a very young bird, while the other had a bright orange bill with a light dusky wash and a dark tip. A Yellow Warbler perplexed us all as it sounded young but had a fully pneumatized skull, leading us to wonder if he was part of an exceptionally early brood or if he was an adult with a funny voice. No sign of the Chat or the escaped Hooded Warbler from yesterday, but we are always optimistic!